philbert



(No Model.)

W. B. PHILBBRT.

VEHIGLE STEP. No. 315,833. Patented Apr. 14, 1885.

INVENTOR. jw

ATT EYS.

To all whom it Hwy concern.-

UNITED STATES XVHARTON B. PHILBERT,

PATENT error or LINNEUS, irissounr.

VEHICLE-STEP.

EPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 315,833, dated April14, 1885.

Application filed March 11, 1885. (No model.)

Be it known that LW. B. PHILBERT, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Linueus, in the county of Linn and State of Missouri, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Steps, and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being badto the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a wagon-boxto which my improved step has been applied, showing the said step inposition for operation. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing infull lines the step extended, and with dotted lines showing the stepfolded out of the way under the wagonbox; and Fig. 3 is a bottom viewshowing the step in its folded position.

The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.

This invention relates to steps for wagons and vehicles; and it has forits object to provide a step of simple and inexpensive construction,which, while not in use, may be folded out of the way, so as not to beliable to come into contact with narrow gates and passageways.

The invention consists in the improved construction and arrangement ofthe said step, which will be hereinafter fully described, andparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, A designates aportion of awagon-box,under the edge of which is secured a bail or strap, B.

O is a stirrup, the ends of which are connected by a transversehinge-rod, D, with a bail, E, the outer end of which is bent at rightangles to the body and covered with a plate, F, forming the step. Theparts 0 and E are arranged to slide transversely under the wagonbox inthe bail or strap B.

To the inner end of the stirrup O is attached one end of a spring, G,the other end of which is attached at some suitable point to the underside of the wagon-box, so that it will serve to an inward direction.

H is a fiat spriug,which is likewise secured under the wagou-box,andwhich presses downwardly upon the stirrup O and hinge-rod D. The outerend of the said flat spring,which is about even with the edge of thewagon-box, is provided with a downturned catch, I, adapted to engage thehingerod D.

The operation of this invention will be readily understood from theforegoing description, taken in connection with the drawings heretoannexed. Normally the tension of the spring G keeps the stirrup O andbail E drawn in under the wagon-box, thus keeping the step F folded upagainst the side of the same.

To place the step in position for operation it is drawn in an outwarddirection until the transverse hinge-rod D strikes the catch I. The

bail E with the step F may then be folded down to the position shown inFig. 1, in which it is retained by the weight of the step. By slightlyraising or lifting the step, it will be drawn back into its foldedposition by the tension of the spring G. The spring H, in addition toforming the stop or catch I, also serves, by bearing down upon thehinge-rod D, to assist in keeping the step in position when eX- tenrledfor use.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States 1. In a vehicle-step, thecombination of a bail or strap secured to the under side of thevehicle-bottom, a stirrup arranged to slide in the same, a bailconnected to the outer ends of the said stirrup by a transversehinge-rod, the outer end of said bail being bent upward or outward andcovered with a plate forming the step, and a traction-spring the ends ofwhich are secured, respectively, to the under side of the vehicle bottomand to the inner end of the stirrup, substantially as and for thepurpose herein set forth.

2. In a vehicle-step, the combination of a bail or strap secured to theunder side of the vehicle-bottom, a stirrup arranged to slide in thesame, the stepping-bail connected to the outer ends of the said stirrupby a transverse draw the said stirrup with its attachments in hinge-rod,a traction-spring, the ends of which In testimony that I claim theforegoing as 10 are secured, respectively, to the under side of my own Ihave hereunto affixed my signature the vehicle-bottom and to the innerend of in presence of two witnesses.

the stirrup, and a flat spring secured under the Vehicle-bottom bearingdownward against WHARTON B. PHILBERT.

the hinge-rod, and having a downturned stop or catch at its outer endabout even with the Witnesses:

edge of the vehicle-body, substantially as and GARow D. BURGESS,

for the purpose herein set forth. WILLIAM W. WADE.

